23 replies to this topic

[g.johnson]

My jaw muscles still ache.

Apart from a slightly wooden expository first scene, this barrels along gloriously. Comedia dell'arte through the lens of Feydeau. Plus Skiffle, Merseybeat and calypso bands. Book before it sells out.

(Melvin Bargg in the audience. I asked him if he couldn't get tickets in London. He didn't get it. I don't think not getting tickets is a problem Melvin has.)

[yvonne johnson]

This is simply fantastic. Get tickets before the NYT review comes out. I'm sure it'll be a sell-out and that Corden will win best actor Tony if not then I'll cry. Show of a lifetime (G tempers my enthusiasm by saying "generation" would be more accurate; I stand by my judgement).

[yvonne johnson]

Added: I see the play got the South Bank Show award for comedy, so that maybe explains why Bragg was there on opening night (= first performance in NY in previews. Opens April 18).

[Suzanne F]

Are you sure we Yanks will get it?

[Sneakeater]

Hey, it was originally written by an Italian.

[g.johnson]

Are you sure we Yanks will get it?

You might have difficulties with some of the slang. But even Americans can appreciate the humor of innocent audience members being humiliated.

[yvonne johnson]

Also, isn't slapstick universal?

[IanT]

I think there's a serious danger of over-hype here. Its a fun, knockabout old-style farce. Well done and enjoyable while it lasts but "show of a generation" ?!

Spoiler

Ahem - innocent audience plants being humiliated.

[yvonne johnson]

Spoiler

I do not believe the first two members asked on stage were part of the cast.

Maybe you underplay, IanT, what I've seen on Broadway over the last 24 years. A lot of it has been mediocre at best. So, yes, it's probably the best thing I've seen in going on 25 years.

[Sneakeater]

I bought my ticket the day they went on sale, expecting this to be the theatrical event of the season here as it was in London.

So I was pretty shocked to see it listed at the Downtown TDF booth during lunch today.

I guess things might change after it opens and gets reviewed.

But I wonder whether any non-musical that doesn't feature movie or TV stars can catch on on Broadway anymore.*
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* A young friend asked me if I was going to see "that John Larroquette play." It took me a couple of minutes to figure out that she meant The Best Man, which many of us think of as a Gore Vidal play starring James Earl Jones.

[Sneakeater]

I guess Boeing Boeing did.

[Wilfrid]

Never 'eard of it.

[yvonne johnson]

But I wonder whether any non-musical that doesn't feature movie or TV stars can catch on on Broadway anymore.*

Corden is somewhat of a TV star -- in the UK.

It was packed to the gills last Friday, mostly of British.

[g.johnson]

I think there's a serious danger of over-hype here. Its a fun, knockabout old-style farce. Well done and enjoyable while it lasts but "show of a generation" ?!

Spoiler

Ahem - innocent audience plants being humiliated.

Spoiler

It was extraordinarily convincingly done. We were sitting just in front of the plant and Corden was whispering reassurances to her as he helped her on stage.

[g.johnson]

Never 'eard of it.

Famous for the humiliation of Max Hastings.